Making Didactic Labels

What does Didactic mean? Didactic is: – Greek: “to teach, educate” From the information given to you above, what do you think this word means if we are writing a didactic label?

Writing the Labels You are going to be writing very specific labels that include – Who – What – When – Where – why

Writing the Labels The “Who” – Who is YOU! – Your name will be on the top of your label

Writing the Labels The “What” – What is two different things: The Title The Medium The Medium is what you created your artwork out of: – Art Foundations 1 Example: Your Harmony assignment is made with watercolors. – Art Foundations 2 Example: Your Value Scales were made with pencil.

Writing the Labels The “When” – This is the year that you finished the artwork. – If you finished it in less than a month, then you include the month. – If you finished it in less than a day, then you include the day.

Writing the Lables The “Where” – This is where you created your art. For all of mine I would say Utah. Some of you may have created your artwork in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico because we are so close to the Four Corners.

Writing the Labels The “Why” – This is the most important part of the label. This is where you write out what you thought was important about the artwork, what you want others to know about the artwork, and/or what you find interesting about the artwork.

Writing the Labels Why? Examples: – For the Totem Pole Project: This work is about Navajo clans and the family relationships that are important within them. This particular artwork uses balance, because it helps keep the artwork standing. The piece is made entirely out of paper because it represents the trees that original totem poles were made of.

Writing the Labels Why? Example: – For the Mask project: This mask was made to represent something that is scary. It was built out of papier mache, paint, and other materials. This mask also was created to hide an identity, which is what most masks are created for.

Writing the Labels Why? Example: – For the Grid artwork: This artwork has meaning to the artist because it depicts his/her family/friends. The work is broken down into squares, which each have a different method of creating value in them. The artwork demonstrates the elements and principles of design because of the use of these methods of creating value.

Writing the Labels The “Why”: – These labels should not contain words like I, me, myself, etc. – It should be written in 3 rd person. (Like someone else is writing it for you).

Requirements This is what your label should look like: You should include all of the W’s, as well as 3 sentences for the why? section.